May 18th Groups Urge Leniency for High School Baseball Team Amid Cheering Controversy

Organizations honoring the May 18th Gwangju Uprising have formally requested leniency for the Baejae High School baseball team from the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation. The team faced significant backlash and issued an apology after controversial cheering, which included phrases like 'Let's go to Starbucks,' during a game.

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The core of the May 18th spirit is 'inclusion,' not 'exclusion.'

In a statement released on July 9th, the three May 18th public interest groups, the bereaved families, the injured, and the contributors, along with the May 18 Memorial Foundation, argued that the core spirit of the Gwangju Uprising is 'inclusion,' not 'exclusion.' They presented Baejae High School's willingness to confront past mistakes and seek correction as evidence that the school accepts history not as a static record but as a shared responsibility for the present.

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Baejae High School's courage to face past mistakes and correct them is proof that it accepts history not as a record frozen in the past, but as the responsibility of all of us living in the present.

The groups further stated that while anyone can make mistakes, it is only mature citizens who can reflect on those errors and move toward a better future. They urged the foundation to fully consider the sincere self-reflection and commitment to change demonstrated by the Baejae High School students, alongside a similar request for leniency from Gwangju High School.

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Mistakes can be made by anyone, but only mature citizens can reflect on those mistakes and move towards a better tomorrow.

Ultimately, the May 18th groups appealed for a wise decision that would allow Baejae High School to participate in the 54th Bonghwangdaegi National High School Baseball Tournament. The request underscores a desire to foster an environment of understanding and second chances, aligning with the principles of reconciliation and growth.

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Please fully consider the sincere self-reflection and willingness to change shown by the Baejae High School students, along with the request for leniency from Gwangju High School.